Pitching Techniques: What is a splitter? Why does it drop suddenly at the plate?

Welcome to Baseball Basics

Welcome to our "Baseball Basics" series! In these articles, we explore different positions and techniques in baseball to help you understand the game better. Whether you're new to baseball or already a fan, we'll break down complicated ideas into simple explanations. Today, we're looking at one of the trickiest pitches in baseball: the splitter.

What Is a Splitter?

A splitter (or split-finger fastball) is a special type of pitch in baseball. When a pitcher throws a splitter, the ball looks like it's going to be a normal fastball coming right over the plate. But then, something surprising happens - the ball suddenly drops down just as it reaches the batter!

The splitter gets its name from how the pitcher holds the ball. To throw a splitter, the pitcher places their index and middle fingers on opposite sides of the ball, with the fingers "split" wider apart than for a normal fastball. This special grip makes the ball move in a unique way.

How Does a Splitter Work?

When a pitcher throws a splitter, they throw it with the same arm motion as a fastball. This makes batters think a fast pitch is coming. However, because of the split-finger grip, the ball spins differently than a fastball.

The magic of the splitter happens because of science! The wider finger position causes the ball to have less spin. With less spin, the ball doesn't fight against gravity as much as a normal fastball would. This causes the ball to "drop" or sink quickly as it reaches the plate.

Imagine throwing a ball straight ahead. Now imagine throwing the same ball but with a special grip that makes it suddenly drop down before reaching your friend. That's what a splitter does!

Why Is the Splitter So Hard to Hit?

The splitter is tricky for batters because it looks just like a fastball when it leaves the pitcher's hand. By the time a batter realizes it's actually a splitter, it's often too late to adjust their swing.

Think about twelve-year-old Marco at his baseball game. The opposing pitcher winds up and throws what looks like a normal fastball. Marco gets ready to hit it, but just as he swings, the ball drops several inches! Marco swings above where the ball actually crosses the plate, missing it completely.

Famous Splitter Pitchers

Some pitchers have become well-known for their excellent splitters. Masahiro Tanaka used his splitter to get many batters to swing and miss. Roger Clemens used a splitter effectively during his pitching career. More recently, Kevin Gausman has become known for having one of the best splitters in professional baseball.

Jamie, a middle school pitcher, practiced throwing splitters after watching videos of these professionals. At first, he couldn't get the ball to drop. But after weeks of practice, he finally got the grip right, and his teammates started having trouble hitting his new pitch.

Is a Splitter Hard to Learn?

Yes! The splitter is not an easy pitch to master. Many coaches don't teach it to young players because it puts strain on the arm and elbow. Most pitchers learn the splitter after they've developed good mechanics with simpler pitches like the fastball and changeup.

The splitter requires strong fingers and a good feel for the ball. Pitchers usually need larger hands to throw an effective splitter because of the wide finger placement.

Conclusion

The splitter is one of baseball's most exciting pitches. Its sudden drop can make even the best batters look silly. While it's difficult to master, the splitter remains a valuable weapon for pitchers who can throw it well. Next time you watch a baseball game, see if you can spot a splitter by watching for that characteristic late drop that leaves batters swinging at air!